Our friend Jim Macaluso has penned this review for us on one of our popular speakers from Triangle… Thanks Jim!
While settling in the basement bedroom for a weekend stay at a friend’s house, I hear blasting from the main living room floor, “Blackout. I really had a blackout…”. I finished unpacking and went up the stairs expecting to see a pair of giant floor standing speakers. Every military family that was ever stationed overseas had big speakers in the living room. I assumed that my friend’s house in Germany would be no exception. Large speakers with woofers ranging from twelve to fifteen inches, two midrange drivers and a tweeter were the rule. The BX/PX practically gave them away. There could have been a sign for GIs, “Welcome to Germany. Here are your speakers.” I looked around the room for some Sansui or Pioneer speakers, but to no avail. I yelled over the power chords, “Dude, where are the speakers?” “In the corners,” he replied. “Where?” “In the corner of the room.” There in two of the corners of the room were the first pair of bookshelf speakers I had ever heard. A set of JBL’s. These little guys cranked and sounded like speakers much larger. This began my penchant for bookshelf speakers. So much so that my first pair of speakers were the Infinity RS 2000. The perfect speaker for a budget conscience college student. They sounded great, were loud enough and did not require an expensive amplifier to drive them. Plus, their compact size made them easy to transport to and from school. Several decades later I learned of the brand Triangle.
It was love at first listen when I heard the Triangle Elara Speaker LN01A from Audio HQ. While I refer to them as speakers, the “A” in LN01A denotes Active. Active means that these speakers have a built-in amplifier. To elaborate, you do not need a separate amplifier or receiver to make sound come out of them. This is a speaker and amplifier within one package. With the LN01A, each speaker is amplified by a 50-watt amplifier with a frequency response of 56Hz to 22KHz. These little babies, measuring only about 6.5 x 9 x 11.5 inches, rock. Their diminutive size is part of their appeal.
When asked to review this system, I immediately knew the first album played would be “Blackout” by Scorpions. The memories of blasting Scorpions, Van Halen and Iron Maiden in the 80’s flooded in. I was reminded of “where are the speakers?” For this review, I did not try to optimize the position of the speakers. I positioned them for what I considered a livable location in the room. Perhaps I got lucky. They sounded great. I also thought about learning some hi-fi reviewer terms such as transparency, tone, and soundstage to name a few. I even watched Steve Gutenberg, The Audiophiliac, youtube videos about these definitions. Ultimately, I decided to trust my ears.
I listened to several albums of various styles of music and even streamed some music. First was the afore mentioned “Blackout.” I loved the sonic quality today as much as I did as teenager. What I noticed first was the balanced sound reproduction even at lower volumes. I have read consumers complain that the loudness button, which boosts bass at lower volume, has been deleted from modern sound systems. The LN01A reproduce adequate bass even at low volume. They really came to life at higher volume. Next on my test list was Joe Pass’ Virtuoso. This instrumental album is just Joe Pass on guitar. I have attended more than enough concerts where there is just a guy playing a guitar to know what this is supposed to sound like. Rik Emmett solo shows come to mind. I could not get over how much I enjoyed listening to the jazz chords and scales played on what I assumed was a Gibson hollow body. I found myself hitting the plus volume button on the LN01A’s remote control. It was like a concert just for me. I auditioned something not prominent in my music catalog, Dixieland. I played a 1952 pressing of “Blues on the River” by The Lawson-Haggart Jazz Band recorded in mono. This LP contains the song “St. Louis Blues” (from which the St. Louis hockey team derived its name!). I loved the way the LN01A reproduce the sound of brushes on snare drum. The brass instruments were lifelike without being in your face. With what I would guess were primitive recording conditions, listeners in the 1950’s never heard it like this. Finally, I got out of my comfort zone and streamed some music. I streamed theroots.fm, a St. Louis based online radio station. First song, “Too Rolling Stoned” by Robin Trower – I was blown away. Clear, crisp and all the music. Not lossy at all, from what I could tell. The LN01A has a built in DAC, (Digital to Analog Converter). DACs take the digital ones and zeros and converts them to sound waves that we can hear. Phone and laptop computers have their own low-quality DAC. The LN01A possess a hi-fi quality DAC and you can hear the difference. There may be a paradigm shift in my future. WOW did this sound great.
At first glance the LN01A is simply two speakers. Upon closer inspection, one speaker is plugged into the wall. That speaker contains the 50 watt per speaker class D amplifier. The back of the speaker possesses inputs for phono, auxiliary, optical, coaxial, and outputs for the other speaker and a subwoofer. Use the included remote control to select the input and adjust the volume, bass and treble. Set up is simple. Plug one speaker into the wall. Use the provided speaker wire to connect the speakers to each other and you are ready to start your new musical journey.
The Triangle Elara LN01A, available in black or white, is perfect for several styles of listeners. The first is if most of your music comes through Alexa or a similar device. While Alexa is convenient, it is best suited for background music in your kitchen. With its compact size, Bluetooth capability and no need for additional components, such as a receiver or amplifier, the LN01A can be enjoyed in any room of your house. This system is also ideal for the aesthetic conscience. If large speakers disrupt the aesthetic of the room, buy the LN01A, as they produce big sound without being a decorating distraction. Perhaps a relationship saver? These are also perfect for the home office or den. If you have always wanted your own listing room, but do not have the space or budget, this system solves that problem. With the compact size, just add a turntable and you will be enjoying your old records in no time in your own listening room.
The Triangle Elara LN01A are so much more than bookshelf speakers. They are their own hi-fi system. While $860 seems a little expensive, it is a bargain. Here is what you get. You get a great sounding system that you will never have to apologize for when your audiophile snob friends visit. They may even ask, “Where are the speakers?” Their compact size does not dominate a room which makes them an easy compromise with the other decision maker in the house. It is a bargain as they require no additional amplification or external DAC which saves you money. Give them a listen and have your own “Blackout.”
